| East-West Council | |
| Status: | Joint committee |
| Purpose: | Intergovernmental relations |
| Headquarters: | Dover House |
| Location City: | London |
| Region Served: | United Kingdom |
| Membership: | UK Government Northern Ireland Executive |
| Leader Title: | Chair: Minister for Intergovernmental Relations |
| Leader Name: | TBA |
| Leader Title2: | Deputy Chair: Northern Ireland Secretary |
| Leader Name2: | Hilary Benn |
The East–West Council was established in 2024 as part of the Northern Ireland Executive reformation with a purpose to improve links between Northern Ireland and rest of the United Kingdom.[1]
According to the Government of the United Kingdom its missions include:[2]
The idea of forming an East-West Council was first proposed by Democratic Unionist Party Leader Jeffrey Donaldson in October 2023 as a prerequisite to restoring a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland. Donaldson hoped that the proposed body would "bring together representatives from across the United Kingdom", on a "regular basis" to "discuss and collaborate on opportunities for enhanced co-operation".[3] Plans for the council were outlined in a command paper published by the UK government in February 2024.[4] Devolved government was restored in Northern Ireland on 3 February 2024 when a first minister, deputy first minister and executive were nominated by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The East-West Council met for the first time on 26 March 2024 at Dover House in London.[5]
The council is made up of representatives from the UK central government, Northern Ireland Executive, business and civil society.[6] It was chaired by the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations.[7]